Texas Tech defensive end Jackson Richards has been aligned with the Red Raiders for so long, some might forget he’s still only a sophomore. Richards committed to Tech when he was 16 years old, nearly two years in advance of the 2010 national signing date.

That was 41/2 years ago, and now he’s becoming the front-four regular the Red Raiders pictured way back when. The 6-foot-4, 252-pound sophomore from Southlake Carroll has been a fixture in Tech’s improving defensive front, starting every game this season and playing a lot of snaps.

“I’m more comfortable this year, with this scheme,” Richards said last week. “Our offseason and summer program has us in good shape where you can play a whole game. Playing running teams like Iowa State, they want me in the game longer. There’s nothing wrong with that at all.”

Richards’ eight tackles are second only to tackle Kerry Hyder among defensive linemen, and he’s batted a couple of passes and made 11/2 tackles for loss. Those aren’t flashy stats, but the Red Raiders will take steady from an underclassman, first-year starter.

“I think he’s about a year ahead of himself,” Tech coach Tommy Tuberville said Tuesday. “I didn’t think he’d play this well against some of the teams that we’ve played to this point. Tell you what, he had a great offseason, he’s stayed healthy and he’s doing great.”

Richards started four games early last season after Leon Mackey’s lung injury, but didn’t get the playing time over the course of a full season that he’s likely to receive the rest of the way this year.

Richards figures his best is yet to come. Right now, he’s playing a lot and trying to be patient at the same time with his development.

“You’ve got to know it’s a process,” he said. “Even in high school, I don’t think I was a decent player until my junior year. I might have started my sophomore year, but I wasn’t any good until, I feel, my junior year. You’ve got to look back at that and realize I’m a redshirt sophomore now, so I’m actually playing earlier than I did in high school.”

Coming out of Southlake Carroll, Richards was rated among the top defensive end prospects in the state as well as nationally. LSU, Kansas State, Texas A&M and UCLA were some of the programs that wanted him, too.

There seemed to be a consensus regarding his talent, and Tuberville said Richards has shown the work habits to go along with it.

“Jackson’s one of those guys that’s going to give you everything he’s got,” Tuberville said. “He’s worked on his strength. He’s gained a little bit of weight. We’d like to play him inside some on pass rush, but we’ve done pretty well inside until the last game.

“But he’s one of those guys that watches a lot of film. He’s a technique guy all the way. He’ll get better every day, just by concentration working on the little things.”

Richards’ size and attention to technique have helped him anchor against the run. He’s still looking for his first sack. Hyder at tackle and Dartwan Bush on the other end have been the Red Raiders’ most consistent pass rushers.

“I don’t want to limit myself,” Richards said, “but I think I fit the run probably better than I am a pass rusher. I’m not a 4.4 fast type guy, but effort can get you some sacks, and I’m going to keep going until I can get some.”

Only two of Tech’s nine sacks have come from defensive ends. Before last week’s game against Oklahoma, defensive coordinator Art Kaufman said sacks weren’t a high priority in September, because the Red Raiders’ non-conference schedule featured run-based option teams.

“Now as we go along and (opposing teams) are more dropback (passing), that’ll come with some of the calls and some things we do, but they’ll be productive, I believe,” Kaufman said.

This week would be perfect timing. West Virginia comes to Lubbock for a 2:30 p.m. game Saturday, ranked No. 5 in The Associated Press Top 25 and No. 4 in the coaches’ poll. One of the biggest reasons is Mountaineers quarterback Geno Smith, who is completing 81 percent of his throws with 24 touchdown passes and no interceptions.

Even after giving up 380 yards and 41 points in a loss last week to Oklahoma, Tech continues to rank No. 2 in the nation in total defense, No. 1 against the pass and No. 12 against the run.

“We all really stress our technique, and we try to get that right every single play,” Richards said. “We’re playing fast, not because we’re the fastest defense, but we just want it and we’re playing as hard as we can.”